With the release of iOS 26, users immediately split into two camps.
Some praised the new system’s depth and improved visual experience. Others complained about bugs and battery drain.
Amid the debate, Apple recently rolled out iOS 26.1 developer beta, mainly refining liquid effects and UI details. But a hidden “Easter egg” in the code may be even more significant than these cosmetic tweaks.
According to 9to5Mac, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 developer beta builds include hidden references suggesting Apple is laying the groundwork for MCP support in App Intents.
This could mean that, in the near future, ChatGPT, Claude, and any other MCP-compatible AI models might directly interact with Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps.
MCP Protocol: Apple’s Key to Taming ChatGPT
Before diving deeper, let’s clarify MCP.
MCP, or Model Context Protocol, was introduced by Anthropic in November last year to solve the “N x M” integration problem.
Put simply: if you have N AI models and M external tools or data sources, traditional methods require developing N×M custom integrations. MCP acts like a universal connector, standardizing how models connect with external tools and data, enabling secure, bidirectional communication.
Think of it as the “HTTP” or “SMTP” for AI.
The results speak for themselves. MCP has already been integrated by Notion, Google, Figma, OpenAI, and others, becoming the industry standard “plug” for AI applications.
And while MCP + App Intents are often associated with AI, the protocol isn’t limited to AI scenarios. For example, Tencent recently integrated MCP with WeChat Pay, allowing developers to initiate payments, check orders, and process tips directly through agents—without relying on AI.
Similarly, App Intents—introduced in 2022—abstract app functionality into semantic actions that the system can trigger. Spotlight, Shortcuts, and widgets already rely on this system. MCP integration simply allows external AI models to leverage this existing channel.
How It Works in Practice
Apple is building system-level MCP support within the App Intents framework. This means iPhone users won’t need each app to implement MCP individually.
Here’s a potential future scenario: you tell ChatGPT, “Send $100 to John via WeChat.” ChatGPT packages the request using MCP, iOS interprets it via App Intents, and the system calls WeChat’s API to complete the payment—automatically.
In essence: MCP gives AI models “hands,” and App Intents provides the rails for those hands.
Why This Matters
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Leverage the ecosystem: Apple can tap into the growing MCP-compatible tool ecosystem without developing each integration itself.
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Maintain control: By routing AI requests through App Intents, Apple enforces privacy and security standards while keeping user experience consistent.
Unlike external AI hardware like AI Key—which offers limited, plug-and-play control—system-level integration is scalable, practical, and long-term.
Currently, iOS 26.1’s MCP support is early-stage code, not yet publicly accessible. Its release timeline remains uncertain.
Apple’s Platform Strategy: Open Yet Controlled
This move reflects Apple’s broader shift. Rather than obsessing over full-stack AI development, Apple is embracing external models, reserving flexible integration points in the system.
Internally, debates over “in-house vs. partnership” have occurred, but Apple ultimately opted for a pragmatic, platform-oriented approach.
The logic is similar to Microsoft’s strategy: instead of relying solely on OpenAI, Microsoft integrated Anthropic’s Claude into Microsoft 365 Copilot when tests showed it outperformed ChatGPT in some scenarios. Apple appears to be adopting a similar strategy—considering both OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Anthropic Claude as candidates for future Siri and system AI integration.
Apple’s long-term approach mirrors its App Store era thinking: set the standards, define the rules, and let third parties innovate within that framework. With MCP + App Intents, external AI models become vendors, required to comply with Apple’s protocols and security standards to reach its massive, high-value user base.
In other words, Apple remains the gatekeeper and platform owner, which is where it excels.
